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Plant identification help

10 years ago

Hello to everyone, I am new to this site. I'm wondering if I could gain some help in identifying this new plant I picked up at my local produce junction. The only thing I can come up with is that it is maybe a variegated jade plant. However, the leave are somewhat thinner than my jade plant but the structure seems somewhat the same. The flowers are light purple or lavender. I don't know what a jade plant looks like in bloom because mine is new and has not bloomed for me yet. I've attached a pictures so you can see the leaves, stem, and flowers.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Comments (10)

  • 10 years ago

    Those are variegated Hebes and they are outdoor plants. If you say where you live we can tell you if they are hardy where you are. I've never seen nor heard of them being grown inside. I can't give you a specific species or cultivar - there are hundreds.

  • 10 years ago

    I agree with floral - you have a Hebe, not a jade plant. The variegated forms most often sold in the US are Hebe speciosa 'Variegata' (which I believe your plant to be) or H. speciosa 'Tricolor'. These are considered only marginally hardy in zone 8 and I have never heard of one being grown as a houseplant, even where not fully hardy. I suppose it could be done but these are temperate climate evergreen shrubs, so it would be a lot like trying to grow any other type of evergreen shrub indoors - boxwood or escallonia or abelia or rhododendron........not a wildly successful enterprise!!

  • 10 years ago

    Thanks so much for the replies! I live 5 minutes outside of Philadelphia, Pa. I'm not sure what zone I'm in. I thought it was so beautiful and they only had it tagged as "winter foliage". I asked if it was ok for the house and the person told me yes.....anything for a sale I suppose lol. At any rate, I'm wondering if I could place it under grow lights in order to get it through winter then put it outside in a container in the spring? The last thing I want to do is allow it to die due to my lack of knowledge! What would your recommendations be at this point to provide adequate care.
    Thanks so much!

  • 10 years ago

    I'd try it with bright but indirect light and cool temps (not too hot or too cold; 50-60F). And just enough water to keep the soil just moist to the touch. It may get a little leggy indoors in less light but pruning back in spring when you can transfer to an outdoor container is fine and generally results in the formation of new growth, creating a denser, more compact plant. This same process is recommended for hebes grown outdoors as well.

    I'd also keep an eye out for spider mites and other pests. For some reason, spider mites are quick to develop infestations on outdoor plants being overwintered indoors, most likely due to the very low humidity indoors. Occasional misting or a periodic shower in the kitchen sink should help.

  • 10 years ago

    If you have a cool sunroom or similar, that might do for it. Lots of light and coolish temps. I fear for it in a heated room.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Summer climate may prove to be a problem for this plant later.

  • 10 years ago

    In fact, I bought one of these as a house plant years ago, labelled Hebe franciscana variegata, and it did fine in a window. I have seen them from time to time in house plant books too. They are New Zealand natives, I believe, and grow outside as seaside plants particularly, and apparently they are susceptible to frost damage. Hebe grows easily outside in our garden, and we are beside the sea.

  • 10 years ago

    Best to bring in plants to be kept inside for the winter in late summer or early fall when indoor and outdoor temperatures are still similar to one another.

  • 10 years ago

    Ok thank you Embothrium

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